KwaZulu-Natal local and provincial government stakeholders scrambled to meet taxi operators to end a two-day strike which crippled public transport on Thursday.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) announced a two-day strike in the eThekwini region in solidarity with their counterparts in Clermont and KwaDabeka after metro police impounded 25 vehicles last week.
Despite a last-minute meeting on Wednesday night and calls by eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba and KwaZulu-Natal transport MEC Siboniso Duma to owners to suspend their planned city-wide taxi strike on Thursday, thousands of commuters were left stranded.
Principals sent letters to parents in many parts of Durban notifying them of a two-day closure and postponed exams until next week in the interest of learner and staff safety.
Some commuters posted their frustration and anger with e-hailing services.
“Uber/Bolt app today charging four times the normal rate taking advantage of the taxi strike. Literally abusing the same people that fight for them when they get abused by taxi drivers. Showing no LOYALTY! Disgusting to say the least,” posted one Durban man.
Another user said a seven-minute ride which usually cost R78 in Morningside would cost R277 on Thursday because the e-hailing service increased its fare.
Economist Prof Bonke Dumisa said there were disruptions to some businesses due to the strike. “Even though there were no taxis, this did not stop some people from going to shopping centres,” he said.
Dumisa said he believed taxi operators failed to achieve what they wanted by embarking on a strike. He said the problem with the taxi industry was lawlessness.
“People must be abide by the law, you cannot be in breach of a law, then you resort to violence.”
Hundreds of commuters were forced to walk to work or local shops to buy groceries. Numerous residents of Mayville walked several kilometres from their homes to the Durban CBD which was quiet.
Zanele Shezi from Hammarsdale said: “We are forced to walk to the shops because even the taxis who work in the local area are not working.”
“Uber drivers are charging inflated prices, taking advantage that there are not taxis,” resident Mxo Nqayi said.
In a statement on Thursday, the eThekwini municipality acknowledged concerns raised by the taxi industry including the backlog in issuing operating licences.
The municipality agreed to fast-track an economic viability survey to assess taxi rank capacity and route saturation to determine whether additional permits can be responsibly issued.
Xaba, Duma and transport department officials said they would meet the eThekwini Taxi Council on Thursday evening as part of ongoing efforts to resolve the stayaway.
By 6pm there was no word from Santaco calling off the strike on Friday or from the taxi council, prompting some community organisations, businesses and schools to plan for alternative public transport on Friday.
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